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Holiday Happenings: Shop Sip Gather Together

Shop Sip Gather Together postcard image

Oh, what fun it is in Downtown Alameda this holiday season! Downtown merchants have plenty to offer for a festive holiday shopping experience, from Shop Late Thursdays to our popular Hot Cocoa Scavenger Hunt.

So bundle up the kids, buy a warm beverage, and take a stroll downtown to enjoy the holiday together with friends and family:

Get the details about this year’s holiday happenings and more… DowntownAlameda.com/holidays

Shop Late Thursdays

The shops in the district are joining our restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in staying open until 8:00pm (or later) on Thursday nights in December. Let the merchants in Downtown Alameda help you find unique gifts, jewelry, clothing, toys, books, and much more!

Grab a bite to eat, stop to enjoy the holiday entertainment, and get a little shopping done! (All performances are on Alameda Ave near the Al Fresco Dining Area, 6-8pm.)

Santa Visits

Santa will be strolling the district and popping into businesses, handing out treats, and posing for photos on Thursday nights, 6-8pm. Have your cameras ready for a fun photo opportunity!

Plus, our friends at Twirl are hosting a special Letters To Santa station, 5-7pm. Once your child’s letter is ready, drop it in one of the special Letters to Santa Mailboxes located at businesses throughout the district. Or hand it to Santa and his elves in person during our Shop Late Thursdays!

Hot Cocoa Crawl Scavenger Hunt

The hunt is on! Search the window displays to find a series of festive holiday items needed to enjoy a yummy serving of Hot Cocoa. Find all 8 window clings and enter to win a Hot Cocoa “Together” Kit for Two. (The scavenger hunt is available every day until December 15.)

Alameda Shop & Visit eGift Cards

When shopping online, consider giving Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Cards as gifts to friends and family, and add them to your own wish list. This unique Alameda gift card is extremely versatile — a single Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Card can be used at more than 20 different businesses in Alameda, and the list is growing!

Celebrate the New Year in Downtown Alameda

You’ll find a celebration for every interest in Downtown Alameda. Meet up with friends at a favorite restaurant, catch a movie, or extend the evening by ringing in the new year at one of the district’s many parties. There’s even family fun for the kids.

Wine & Waffles (1505 Park Street) Celebrate the new year in color at this New Year’s Eve Glow Party!! DJ Chaz & Co will be playing your favorite party songs, there will be glow-in-the-dark cocktails, and a Black Light Balloon Drop with champagne toast at Midnight. Pre-Party Happy Hour is 6-7pm while the main event is 8pm-Midnight. Info: www.facebook.com/WineandWaffles/

The Lemon Tree (2542 Santa Clara Ave) Get the spotlight shining on you with New Year’s Eve Karaoke. The Lemon Tree and musical hosts Frankie & Gloria will have 10,000 songs to choose from, champagne toast, party favors, and great people to party with! Drop by for a visit, buy a drink, and sing some songs! Info: www.facebook.com/Lemon-Tree-Alameda-139552966096364/

The Churchward Pub (1515 Park Street) Ring in the New Year at the East Bay’s self-proclaimed number one party spot. Experience amazing dj’s, dancing all night long, and video countdown at midnight. For the early birds, an open bar will be available 8:30pm-9:30pm. Get pre-sale tickets now; price goes up at the door. Info: www.thechurchwardpub.com

Fun with the kids: Twirl will be hosting a Balloon Drop at Noon on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve and Swings & Wings will have a toddler dance party at 6:00-8:00pm.

Fun for all ages: High Scores Arcade will be open Noon-10:00pm on New Year’s Eve and and New Year’s Day. Or kick back and enjoy a blockbuster movie at Alameda Theatre & Cineplex for only $5.50 on New Years Eve.

But if you’re looking for a last-minute gathering place with the 21+ crowd, these Downtown Alameda nightspots provide festive fun on New Year’s Eve — no reservations required: 

Read More

Celebrate the New Year in Downtown Alameda

The Churchward Pub New Years Eve 2018 welcomes 2019You’ll find a celebration for every interest in Downtown Alameda. Meet up with friends at a favorite restaurant, catch a movie, or extend the evening by ringing in the new year at one of the district’s many parties.

Alameda Theatre & Cineplex (2317 Central Ave) Catch a LIVE performance of national singing star Tora Woloshin and her sister Jasmine in the Historic Alameda Theatre before the evening movie. Tora became a national hit with her appearance in the inaugural season of Fox Television’s hit reality show, The X Factor. The pair’s explosive shows combine their sexy and soulful vocal tones as they perform today’s top hits along with original material. Purchase movie tickets online: www.alamedatheatres.com

Dragon Rouge (2337 Blanding Ave) Reminisce NYE 2019 is a 80’s and 90’s Old School Throwback Party featuring DJ Zhaldee (he’s also the owner of Zhaldee’s Eats & Beats) and other Bay Area dj’s mixing up the biggest 80’s and 90’s jams all night long! Tickets include access to a full premium open bar, two party areas, outdoor waterfront patio, live video countdown, and midnight champagne toast. A limited number of pre-sale tickets are available. Info: www.Reminisce2019.com

The Churchward Pub (1515 Park Street) Ring in the New Year at the East Bay’s self-proclaimed number one party spot. Experience amazing dj’s, dancing all night long, and video countdown at midnight. For the early birds, an open bar will be available 8:30pm-9:30pm. Get pre-sale tickets now; price goes up at the door. Info: www.thechurchwardpub.com

Rhythmix Cultural Works (2513 Blanding Ave) Pucker up and kiss 2018 goodbye on Thursday, January 3, when political satirist Will Durst brings his irreverent tribe of merry pranksters back to the Rhythmix stage. Purchase tickets for the The Big Fat Kiss Off Comedy Show: www.rhythmix.org

If you’re looking for a last-minute gathering place instead, these Downtown Alameda nightspots provide festive fun on New Year’s Eve — no reservations required:  Read More

Holiday Window Contest: Winners Selected

OMM Inc.

A great big thank you to all the businesses and artists who graced our downtown with their creative and awe-inspiring artistry during our holiday window contest. Our panel of judges visited each and every display and then had the difficult job of choosing winners. Congratulations to one and all!

Most Original:
The Sewing Room, 2434 Webb Ave (artist: Joanne Yada)

Most Traditional:
Lost City Antiques, 1519 Park Street (artist: David George, owner)

Best Use of Lights:
West Wind Karate School, 1429 Park Street (artist: Jessica Warren)

Best Use of Merchandise/Products:
Toy Safari, 1410 Park Street (artist: Helen Dean, owner)

People’s Favorite:
OMM Inc., 2514 Santa Clara Ave (artist: Jan Mason, owner)

Honorable Mentions: Daisy’s (artist: Barbara Mooney, owner), Glass Tek (artists: Haley & Emalee Phillips), PHOENIX (artist: Anita Sulimanovic), Team Silva Martial Arts (artist: Wesley Warren), Tootsies (artist: Liz Taylor, owner), and Twirl (artist: Sabrina Cazarez and the Twirl kids).

The windows will be available for viewing through New Year’s Day. To learn more about the creative personalities behind each of the displays and to take a virtual tour, go to the 2nd Friday ArtWalk website: www.FridayArtWalk.com/downtown-alameda-holiday-window-contest-2018  Read More

Shop Late Thursdays With Santa

Dozens of shops in the district are open until 8:00pm or later on Thursday nights. Grab a bite to eat, catch a movie, or toast the holidays with co-workers and then get a little holiday shopping done afterwards! Plus, look for Santa to be out and about visiting the shops from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

In addition to the many shops that already stay open late, these retailers are extending their hours just for Shop Late Thursdays:

Airloom Deluxe (2322 Santa Clara Ave)
All Good Living (2332 Alameda Ave)
Bead Inspirations (1544 Park St)
Bonne Vie (1419 Park Street)
Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden (1223 Park St)
Lauren’s Closet (1420 Park St)
Lost City Antiques (1519 Park St)
Sole Desire (1330 Park St)
To Herb with Love (1336A Park St)
Tootsies Alameda (1350A Park St)
Tot Tank (1413 Park St)

To find all 24+ businesses staying open late, just look for the Shop Late Here posters or view the complete list and interactive map on the website: www.DowntownAlameda.com/holidays#shop.

View some of the fun photos with Santa: www.facebook.com/pg/DowntownAlameda/photos/

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Can’t make it to Shop Late Thursdays? These other retailers are open late most nights of the week:  Read More

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